New on the Makeup Page: Skin Care

Hey there ladies! Before we dig into lip liner and BB créme, there's one topic I must cover and that is skin care.

Your skin is the canvas for your make-up so it is absolutely essential that it be at its prime. Now I know that if you're a teenager like me your belief in good skin is probably somewhere between unicorns and leprechauns, but I assure you it's not a myth! With a little determination, you can get your skin looking its best.

The first thing you'll need to do is determine your skin type- oily, dry, or combination. Oily skin is constantly shiny except right after being washed. If you have oily skin, washing your face in the morning probably doesn't seem to cut it. Dry skin is the exact opposite. It tends to be dull and flakey and can never soak up enough lotion. Combination skin, as you probably guessed, is right in between, although it can lean toward different sides of the spectrum. It is oily in some places, but dry in others. For example, I have combination skin that tends toward the dry side. My cheeks and nose as often dry, but my forehead tends to break out. If you aren't sure about your skin type, talk to your dermatologist or a cosmologist like the people who work at make-up counters in the mall.

Once you know what skin type you are you have to learn how to care for that specific skin type. There are three steps for taking care of your skin: cleanse, tone and moisturize. If your skin leans towards the oily side, a gel cleanser is a good idea. A gel cleanser will be mostly clear, like shampoo, and lather when you rub it on your face. With oily skin, I also suggest you wash your face with a clean wash cloth to avoid transferring oils from your hands to your face. If you have dry skin, cream cleanser is best. It looks something like lotion (not clear like gel) and doesn't lather as much when used. Take your time finding a face wash that suits your skin's needs. You'll need to give a face wash a week long trial to give you skin a chance to react. If your skin doesn't improve after a week, move on to the next. Once you've found a good cleanser, it's time to find a toner. The point of a toner is to give your skin that extra clean, bright feeling. Lots of companies make toner, but honestly, good old fashioned witch hazel works as well as anything. Sure it smells a little funny, but it serves it's purpose. Put some on a cotton pad and dab your face with it and voilà! The final step in taking care of your skin is moisturizer. Obviously if your skin is dry you want to use an intense lotion. If you have oily skin, don't be deceived, you DO need lotion. If you don't use it, your skin can overcompensate by producing more oil and that's the last thing you want. I would suggest finding a lighter lotion if your skin is oily. Finding the right lotion for you is a lot like finding the right cleanser- trial and error. Pick some products that sound like they'd be good for your skin type and give them a try for a week.

So those are the basics of skin care! I'll probably go over things like exfoliants and masks in a later article, but those things, while good for your skin, are extraneous.

Good luck finding the right products for you!

Julia <3 font="">

10 Fashion Questions with Hannah

Hanna

February's 10 Fashion Questions features Hannah, who was kind enough to answer questions about her great style and all around fashion! Thanks Hannah!

1. What is your favorite color combination to wear?

 

Black and white with a little bit of color (like bright earrings or a bracelet).

 

2. How do the colors of your hair, skin, and eyes affect the colors you wear? What are some examples?

 

The color I think most complements my skin, eyes and hair (I have ivory skin, dark greyish-blue eyes and ever so slightly reddish-brown hair) would be white, because it makes it seem like I'm less pale than I am (I am really pale!). For example, in summer I wear a white dress of mine rather often. I also love navy blue because it is really classy and I love that color for clothing, and I tend to wear navy a lot in Winter.

 

3. How would you describe your fashion style in five words?

 

Fun/classy like Audrey Hepburn!

 

4. What’s your favorite accessory?

 

Sunglasses.

 

5. What is the most fun item in your wardrobe to wear?

 

The thing I enjoy wearing most would probably be these silver sandals from DSW, just because they go with everything and are so pretty!  

http://www.dsw.com/shoe/kelly+.and.+katie+phoebe+flat+sandal?prodId=265909&productRef=SEARCH

 

6. What's your favorite store?

My favorite store for everything but jeans would be Kohl's, but I love H&M's jeans sooo much. Both stores have great prices, and Kohl's has the most amazing sales, deals and rewards I've ever come across!

7. Do you have any modesty tips you’d like to share?

Modesty tip: Contrary to what a lot of people will tell you, loose shorts are not the key to being modest, as when you sit down and cross your legs or bend over they are lose enough so that anyone across from you can see right up them and thus do away with any effort at protecting your dignity. But of course if they are loose bermudas, then you're still safe. But if you don't like bermudas, then always check if someone can see up your leg when you sit and cross your legs! 

8. Neutral shoes or brightly colored shoes?

Neutral! Colorful/neon shoes are not classy. Blegh.

9. What’s your opinion about hats?

I don't particularly care for hats, I would never actually wear one (heck, that's what sunglasses are for, right?), but I admit that a lot of people can look amazing in them, take Kate Middleton for example.

10. What's your favorite fashion trend?

I would probably say that I love the fact that jean jackets are coming back into style. They add the "fun" to the "fun/classy like Audrey Hepburn"!

Heart Earrings DIY

I thought it was about time for another DIY and so I made one in honor of Valentine's Day! Now, I'm not one to go way out with hearts and valentine's everything, but it is a nice holiday, in my opinion, and I do enjoying dressing in pink, red, and hearts attire. It's rather nice to have a day celebrating love! I meant to get this done sooner . . . but time exists and I'm posting this later than I'd wanted. However, it's still not yet Valentine's Day, so I'm thankfully not late.

 

 ~Mariana

Opening of the Makeup Page

Hey guys, Julia here! Mariana has very graciously invited me to write a make-up section for this blog. My posts will cover everything from the conservative style to the dark and dramatic. I'll also offer some tips along the way.

First things first, I need to let you know where I stand with make-up. Most people take one of two approaches, the first being the oh-my-gosh-I-can't-make-a-move-without-it approach. The second is the make-up-is-from-the-devil-never-use-it approach. I don't condone either of these. It's my strong belief that make-up should be used as a tool to make you look and feel your best by enhancing your natural beauty, not covering you up and painting a new face on you. My goal is to give you make-up ideas to do just that.

Some things to keep in mind while reading: First, be sure to check with your parents before you wear a certain make-up style; every family has different standards. That being said, I'll try my best to post a wide range of styles for everyone. Second, be creative and remember my posts are not the be-all end-all of make-up. On the contrary, I hope you use my ideas as inspiration to make your own unique look. Lastly, if you have any questions about products or if something I say confuses you, don't hesitate to let me know. No question is too silly, especially if this is your first time plunging into the world of make-up.

I hope you're all as excited for this section as I am! I'll be posting my first article soon. Until then—

Stay beautiful,
Julia <3

10 Fashion Questions with Julia

Julia

This, the nearing end of January, I've decided to do a monthly 10 Questions about fashion. January's 10 Fashion Questions is with a great friend of mine, Julia. She has a great sense of style and always looks great and modest. Julia kindly agreed to answer questions about her style and here they are:

 

1.      What is your favorite color combination to wear?

Well in all honesty I really don't have a favorite combination. I'll pretty much wear anything that doesn't clash.

2.      How do the colors of your hair, skin, and eyes affect the colors you wear? What are some examples?

Ah yes, this makes a huge impact on what colors you can wear! I, for example, have dark hair and eyes and something of an olive/yellow complexion (the Asian in me). I typically like to go with colors that will contrast this like pastels, especially teals and greens. If, however, I were going to something like an evening event, I could wear something more serious that would enhance the darkness of my hair and eyes (like a burgundy). One quick tip on this topic— always avoid wearing things that blend with your skin tone!

3.      When you’re shopping, are you the type who can love something straight off the rack or do you have to try it on before you love it?

 I used to have to try things on, but after many years of practice I've learned to see potential in things straight off the rack

4.      Describe your fashion style in five words:

Feminine-urban-unique-colorful-trendy. Yup, that's me!

5.      What’s your favorite accessory?

I'm not really big on accessories, but I love to wear my silver, twisted leaf ring to add a little something to a typical solid shirt-skinny jeans-boots outfit.

6.      What is your opinion of chunky jewelry?

In my opinion, everything in fashion is about how you wear it. If you want to wear a flower print blouse with a polka-dot skirt you go for it! Whatever makes you feel good (so long as it's modest). No matter how weird your outfit may seem, just "sell it". In other words, be bold. Be confident. Be comfortable with how you look and convince everyone you know something about fashion that they don't. The same thing goes for chunky jewelry; if you like it— wear it and work it!

7.      What shopping advice can you give to other people who are also having a hard time finding modest clothing?

We all face the same struggle in this area. I'd just say be creative. Sweaters and undershirts are your best friends. Buy some colored tank tops and try mixing them under some tops you normally couldn't wear. Also, a quick tip—  before you make up your mind that something is absolutely too short or tight, try the next size up, (but also note that this could make a low neckline lower).

8.      What is the most fun item in your wardrobe to wear?

That's got to be my ankle length sun dress. It's an empire waist dress. White, with little purple flower vine designs all over it and a bright green sash around the waist that ties in the back. Twirling has never been more fun! It does have spaghetti straps, but I just wear a sweater with it (remember, they're your best friends!!!).

9.      Favorite fashion trend?

My favorite fashion trend is probably women's oxfords. Classy, comfy, and oh-so wonderfully weird! I kind of have this affinity for weird shoes...

10.  Favorite store?

Definitely T.J. Maxx. It's kind of like a thrift shop, but the clothes aren't used, they're just the ones department stores don't really care for any more. The racks are typically a little messy so shopping there might seem a little daunting, but you can really find some gems in there!

The Color of 2014

Radiant Orchid has been declared the

Color of the Year

    

 

 

 

2013's color was Emerald Green, which was a very set color with only one shade and no other, but this year it's different. 2014's Radiant Orchid is basically one color, but has a few different shades. That's probably due to the fact that emerald green is just that green crayon color that's in every single box of crayons, but radiant orchid is not as common a color. I personally find it very pretty, soft, and sweet. It might sound odd, but I think of it as a gentle color.

 

As I look at these pictures above I notice that the different colors it's paired with give it a different feel. Dark purples and deep blues give it a mystical feel; green makes it pop; pink adds a very sweet and girly affect; and neutrals give it a peaceful, quiet feel. All of these are pretty and very feminine. I like this color because it's one that you can play with.

 

When I saw that radiant orchid was the official color of 2014 my mind suddenly went to that sweater in my dresser that I'd forgotten about and hadn't worn in a long time. It's a very plain sweater, but it's simplicity is very pretty and I began asking myself why I never wear it. I still don't know why, but I'm guessing it was just because it was a cousin-hand-me-down that got lost in the bottom of my drawer.

 

Now why does the color of the year matter? Well, truth be told, it doesn't. There is no rule that says you have to wear the color of the year at all. Last year I only wore emerald green twice and on the last days of 2013! This year I'll be wearing more green than last year because I have a green scarf that I love. Why am I even posting about it then? Because for me it's fun! Hearing radiant orchid was the color of the year made me wonder how I could wear the forgotten, radiant orchid sweater. It's basically a fun little thing to see how you can wear the color and what you wear it with. I'll eventually post a picture of how I wear the sweater, but until then I'll continue to mess around with what I'll wear it with.

 

To me the color of the year is a fun little challenge... So I challenge you to mentally or physically go through your wardrobe and see if you have anything Radiant Orchid, whether it's a scarf, a top, shoes, a necklace, etc. What would you wear it with?

 

~Mariana

 

For the Love of Owls

 

Owls... they really are just so fun to wear, or at least they are for me. My sister, Alice, is obsessed with them and although my love of them isn't as strong as hers, I think they are really neat/cool/fun/cute! I was going to say that owls are one of my favorite animals, but I have a lot of favorite animals so I'll just leave it at: owls are my favorite animal to have on my clothing. Tiger shirts have never appealed to me because I feel as though the symbolism of fierce never fit my personality. Owls, on the other hand, are symbolic of wisdom and although I still have much wisdom to gain, I much rather have that association. Plus, owls have a calm and peaceful look about them that appeals to me.

 

Color-wise, (see what I did there? Wise? Owls? ... Yeah, that was rather lame. :P), the neutral colors of owls allow them to be worn with practically any color. In the picture above the bright color is blue, but pink, red, yellow, green, purple or most any other color would work.

 

Do like wearing owls? What's your favorite way to wear owls? The comment section below is a great place for your input, (which I am always glad to hear).

 

~Mariana